Whitetail deer hunters throughout North America are mourning the passing of Charles J. Alsheimer, a well-known whitetail expert who was a prolific writer and lecturer.
Alsheimer, 70, who lived in Avoca and had lectured to sportsmen’s groups in the Olean area, died Dec. 30 at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira.
He graduated in 1966 from Avoca Central School, where he was a standout basketball and baseball player. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1967, and served proudly in Vietnam, achieving the rank of sergeant prior to being honorably discharged in 1970. Following his military service, he attended Corning Community College, where he played basketball and earned an associate’s degree in business. He then worked for seven years in sales and marketing at the Gunlocke Co. in Wayland.
In 1979, Alsheimer left the corporate world to chase his dream of a full-time career as a nature photographer and writer. He went on to achieve remarkable success, becoming one of the most widely published outdoor photographers of his era. His images were featured in thousands of magazines, books, and calendars and won numerous awards.
His favorite subject, both as a photographer and writer, was the whitetail. He was a preeminent expert on deer behavior and collaborated on groundbreaking research on the moon’s impact on whitetail breeding patterns. He authored seven best-selling books and hundreds of magazine articles on the whitetail, serving as field editor of Deer & Deer Hunting magazine for nearly 38 years and as host of “Deer & Deer Hunting TV,” which aired on the Outdoor Channel.
His obituary in the Corning Leader reads, “Above all, Charlie was a man of profound faith. He credited God for all he accomplished and was eager to share Christ’s impact on his life with everyone he met. This impact was evident in the way Charlie freely gave of his time and resources to so many.”
Alsheimer, born in Bath on May 1, 1947, was married to Carla S. Todd, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Aaron, four sisters and several nieces and nephews.
Donations in his memory may be made to either Buena Vista Wesleyan Church, 6034 County Route 69, Canisteo, N.Y., 14823, or Family Life Ministries, P.O. Box 506, Bath, N.Y., 14810.
